Improvement in eailroad-switohes



WILLIAM I.` PATTON, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM P.'

PATTON, .THEOPHILUS WEAVER, AND ISAAC LLOYD, OF SAME PLAGE.

Letters Patent No. 73,752, dated January 28, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD-SWITCHES.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. PAr'roN, of Harrisburg, in the county ofDauphin, and State of Pennsyl-V vania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Railroad-Switch Locks; and Ido declare the following tobe a Tull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being hadto fthe accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference markedthereon.. I

The nature of my invention consists in constructing,vcombining, andarranging this lock substantially in themanner hereinafter set forth. Inthe drawings, making a part of this specidcation- Figure 1 represents a.side view, with the lock in section.

Figure'Z also represents a vertical side section of the lock when it isunlocked.

Figure 3 is-a cross-section'ot` the lock. l

Figure 4 is the front plate of the lock, with the key-hole and guardshown. n

Figure 5-represents an envelope, that encloses the lock, and answers athreefoldvpurpose: irst, as a means of protection to it; second, as acatch or stopper for the shot-bolt I of the lock; and, thirdly, as akey-retaining device, the purpose of which will be hereinafter setforth.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the key. i

Figure -7 is a plan view of the lock in section.

In gs. 1, 2, 3, and 7, B represents the case or body of the lock. It isgiven' the form substantially as shown in the gures named, and is madeof'iron, brass, or other suitable metal. In the body `B the works of thelockare placed. Theyare constructed and adjusted in relation to eachother substantially as follows:

The sleeve or tube d is fitted tightly in a hole made in the bodyl ofthe lock for its reception, and in a ver* tical position, as shown in'the drawings. This sleeve, d, is made of such a size, in relation ts theshot-bolt I, as to allow said bolt to move freely up and down in itwithout lateral motion. In this shot-bolt, a short distance from itslower end, a hole is drilled, of a proper size to receive the key-boltX. The shot-bolt I sets upon a spiral spring, o, that is also insertedinthe sleeve d. Thissprin'g is made of brass or other suitable metal,and must be strong enough lto insure the correct action of the bolt,against which it impinges. The sleeve d has two vertical slots made init, opposite each other, and of such a size and length as to allow thekey-bolt X to move freely the required distance it has to travel. r lhiskey-bolt X has a spiral spring, Z, encircling that portion of its bodythat projects through the shot-bolt I. This spring is for the purpose ofkeeping it (the key bolt) in a proper position in relation to 'thekey-post 1 and the guard u. The guard 'tt is simplyA a projection,extending, from the back plate m', over the key-bolt X, having notchescut in its body to suit the key of the lock. The key-post 1 also.projects from the'back plate m, and is encircled at its base by apeculiar-shaped guard, that is constructed thus: It consists of anannular ridge, rising off the buck plate m', at ditIerent heights fromthe same, in two places. From the point c, around to n on the sidenextthe guard u, the projection is made of such a height that the loweredge of the ward on the key will bear against it when the action ofunlocking the lock is being performed, said key, atv the same time,being allowed to pass freely through the notches formed for it in theguard u. The other portion of the annular ridge, that extends from n toe, on the sidetowards B, (iig. 1,) is made of such a height from plate mas to form a shoulder at e, to prevent the key from being turned in thewrong direction. It also forms a shoulder at n, against which the keyabuts when it has been turned far enough to open the lock. At thepoint.1t(tig. 1) the ridge is cut away down to lthesurface of theback'plate, so as to form a retaining-groove, in which the lower ward ofthe key is thrust and is held when the lock is unlocked. v

The key-bolt X has its li'ead shaped substantially as is shown at X,(tig. I.) Said head ismade of such a length, in relation to the key-postI, as to permit the wards on hey V to fairly catch on it when applied,as shown in iig, I.

The key V, iig. 6, has a hole drilled in its end, of a proper size toenable it to pass easily over the key'- post l, and has two curved Wardsor projections, that are intended to catch hold of and hold on to thehead of key-holt X when the lock is being unlocked. '.lhe.key V hasv itsbody reduced, as represented at 2, (dg. 6,) thus forming two flattened,parallel sides.

The shield or envelope E is made of cast iron or oth'ersuitable nietal,and is formed substantially as shown in iig. 5.. When in properposition, it'embraccs the lock-body o nits sides, and also covers it.

The top, L, that covers the lock, has a hole or recess formed on itsunder side for the reception of the shotbolt I. This hole must be madelarge enough to permit the end of the bolt to go in easily.

The'shield E is further provided with a,l:eyhole to correspond to thekey-hole in the lock. From this keyhole a slot is cut or formed, of aproper size to admit the flattened part on the key when said key isplaced n proper position.

The shield E is held iirnily in place by bolts or spikes driven into ,apiece of timber, Il, uponwhich the switch stands, the lock having beenpreviouslyr conniected securely to the switching-bar A, either by theknucklejonts s s, or other suitable method. v

In g. l, S S represent a siding, and F F the main track.

Having the diii'erent parts of the lock and switch in proper position,as shown in tig. l, it will be observed that the switch is lockeduponthe main track. Now, if it is desired to shiftlor change to thesiding S S, the key is inserted in the look until it can be pushed nofarther. It is then turned to the right until it strikes the shoulder atn. During this operation, the wards on the key pass through the guard u,and catch hold of the key-bolt, and carry it down, and thus release theshot-bolt I, (see iig. The key is then pushed again, and

.enters the slot made in the guard at u for its reception. The lock isnow'unlocked, and requires the key to bc Vleft in its place to keep itso. The switch can now be turned on to -the siding, as desired; but,upon moving the switch-lever, the attened sides of the key pass into theslot in shield E, and prevent it (the key) from being withdrawn, sothat, in order to recover his key, the person using the switch mustremove it from the siding back to the main track and lock it before hecando so. i

The advantages of this method of construction are as follows: First, alock is obtained that causes every person using it to restore the switchte which it is applied to a safe position and lock it there. Anyomissions of this required duty are reported by the retained key, as thekeys willbe numbered, and each man charged with his number. Thus thedelinquent. is infallibly pointed out.

The other advantages claimed for this lock are that it is more simpleand secure, and less liable to get ont 'of order than others new in use.It is also better protected from the action of dust and the weather'than others.

Having thus given a full, clear, and exact description of my invention,and described its manner of operation, and pointed out its advantagesand peculiar excellence, what I claim as new of my invention, and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is l I l 1. Thearrangement of a lock-shield and-key, in combination with theshifting-mechanism of a railroadswitch, so that the key can only bewithdrawn from the lock when the switch has been returned to the maintrack, and been locked in that position, substantially as set forth.

2. I claim the guard L, in' combinationwith the key 2, and a lock,attached to the shifting-rnechanisu1 of a railroad-switch,substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose set forth.

` WM. P. PATTON.

Witnesses:

HENRY EBnnsoL, WM. S. MILLER.

